Corrosion behaviour of AISI type 304L stainless steel in nitric acid media containing oxidizing species

The corrosion behaviour of AISI type 304L stainless steel (SS) in different concentration of 0.01 M, 1 M and 5 M HNO3 in presence of oxidizing ions at different temperatures has been evaluated. The main objective of this study is to assess the corrosion resistance of type 304L SS in non-radioactive conditions encountered during storage of liquid nuclear waste. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS) has clearly brought out the deleterious effect of oxidizing species on the passive film leading to increased corrosion along with increase in HNO3 concentration and higher temperature.

Research highlights
► Corrosion behaviour of 304L stainless steel has been evaluated in the presence of oxidizing species in nitric acid medium.
► No significant change in corrosion potential even with increase in temperature and nitric acid concentration in presence of oxidizing ions.
► Faster passive film dissolution as indicated by low film polarization resistance, with increase in nitric acid concentration and temperature.
► The presence of oxidizing species further aggravates the corrosion of 304L SS along with increased temperature and nitric acid concentration.